Curtain fabric material

ABSTRACT

An efficient light-blocking curtain fabric material includes two fabric layers, an intermediate film sandwiched between the fabric layers; and at least one non-light transmissive layer formed on at least one surface of the intermediate film. Preferably, the non-light transmissive layer is formed on the intermediate film by electroplating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a curtain, and more particularly to a curtain fabric material.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of curtains have been provided in the art according to different applications. Commonly seen curtains include pleated curtains, venetian curtains, roll curtain, roman curtains, etc. Due to different requirements of the curtains, several light blocking materials have been used to make the curtains, such as, plastic and wooden slats for venetian curtains, and woven fabrics made of cotton and plastic yarns for pleated curtains, roll curtains, roman curtains, etc.

Woven fabric curtains can be readily provided with decorative patterns by weaving or printing. However, because woven fabric curtains are generally porous, they are susceptible of light leakage, which results in insufficient light blocking effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a curtain fabric material with an improved light-blocking effect.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a curtain fabric material which comprises two fabric layers, an intermediate film sandwiched between the fabric layers, and at least one non-light transmissive layer formed on at least one surface of the intermediate film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a curtain fabric material according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a pleated curtain device incorporating the curtain fabric material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the curtain fabric material of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a curtain fabric material 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention usable for a pleated curtain device 2, which includes a top frame 21, a bottom bar 22, and two pull ropes 23 that can be pulled using the bottom bar 22. The curtain fabric material 1 is formed into a pleated structure and is connected to the top frame 21 and the bottom bar 22. The pull ropes 23 pass through the curtain fabric material 1. While the curtain fabric material 1 is used in a pleated curtain device 2 in this embodiment, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the fabric material 1 may be used in other types of curtains, such as, roll curtains, roman curtains, etc.

The curtain fabric material 1 includes two fabric layers 11, an intermediate film 12 sandwiched between the fabric layers 11, and a non-light transmissive layer 13 formed on at least one surface 121 of the intermediate film 12. The fabric layers 11 may be woven or nonwoven fabric layers. Patterns may be formed on the woven fabric layers by weaving, knitting or printing. In this embodiment, nonwoven fabric layers are used as the fabric layers 11.

The intermediate film 12 is a plastic film which may be made from a suitable plastic material. In this embodiment polyethylene terephatalate (PET) is used for the intermediate film 12. The non-light transmissive layer 13 is a metal layer formed on one of two surfaces 121 of the intermediate film 12. The metal layer may be formed by electroplating using a suitable metal, such as, zinc, or aluminum. While the intermediate film 12 has only one non-light transmissive layer 13 on one of the surfaces 121 in this embodiment, it may have two non-light transmissive layers 13 formed respectively on both of the surfaces 121 thereof. Furthermore, any suitable plastic material may be used for the intermediate film 12 as long as it can flex together with the fabric layers 11, and any suitable material may be used for the non-light transmissive layer 13 as long as it has a light-blocking effect.

The curtain fabric material 1 may be fabricated by first electroplating the intermediate film 12 to form the non-light transmissive layer 13, followed by attaching the electroplated intermediate film 12 to the fabric layers 11 such as by adhesive bonding.

Because the curtain fabric material 1 of this invention utilizes the fabric layers 11 and the flexible electroplated intermediate film 12 that does not impair the flexibility of the fabric layers 11 and that can effectively block light, the curtain fabric material 1 not only has the characteristics of a fabric but also is sufficient for blocking light. The non-light transmissive layer 13 can provide a protection against electromagnetic radiation in addition to the light-blocking effect.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A curtain fabric material comprising: two fabric layers; and an intermediate film sandwiched between said fabric layers; and at least one non-light transmissive layer formed on at least one surface of said intermediate film.
 2. The curtain fabric material of claim 1, wherein said intermediate film is made from plastic.
 3. The curtain fabric material of claim 1, wherein said intermediate film is made from polyethylene terephthalate.
 4. The curtain fabric material of claim 1, wherein said non-light transmissive layer is a metal layer.
 5. The curtain fabric material of claim 4, wherein said metal layer is an electroplated layer.
 6. The curtain fabric material of claim 4, wherein said metal layer includes a metal selected from a group consisting of zinc and aluminum.
 7. The curtain fabric material of claim 1, wherein said fabric layers are non-woven fabrics. 